Bank Frick's main blockchain expert is heading for crypto valley – at least figuratively. He will maintain close ties to the Liechtenstein fintech bank.
Niklas Nikolajsen, founder and head of Switzerland's biggest crypto broker Bitcoin Suisse, views Switzerland and Liechtenstein as one big hub, he recently told finews.com. Mauro Casellini seems to agree: the head of blockchain banking at Balzers-based Bank Frick will join Bitcoin Suisse on July 1, the two companies said on Monday.
Casellini, a fixture on the burgeoning crypto scene in Switzerland, will build up and run Bitcoin Suisse's Liechtenstein arm. Because the principality is in the European Economic Area – which Switzerland isn't – it is able to tap further client segments and markets in Europe.
Partner with Pipeline
A Swiss native, Casellini has been with the Liechtenstein-based bank for the past five years. For the past year, he has overseen a 15-person team in one of the few banks which is amenable to crypto funds, as finews.com reported.
Bitcoin Suisse is a key broker for Frick, while the Swiss crypto firm is a client of the bank. The two firms will maintain close ties, Bitcoin Suisse CEO Arthur Vayloyan said: «There are already some upcoming joint projects in the pipeline, and we will be able to present additional innovative solutions shortly».
Hiring Spree
Casellini is one of nine hires that Bitcoin Suisse flagged for the first quarter when it reported its full-year results last month. The broker's net profit dropped by one-third to 21.2 million Swiss francs ($21.2 million) last year, amid a market crash for bitcoin and other digital assets.
Last year, Bitcoin Suisse doubled staff to 73 people, including Lothar Cerjak, a 25-year veteran of Swiss bank Credit Suisse. Cerjak is the start-ups new head of institutional products and sales.
